Anyone who has been a cheerleader knows that cheerleading, like any other sport,
incorporates skills and movements that are extremely demanding on the
body. Given that the majority of recreational and competitive cheerleaders are
either pre-adolescents or young adults, it is important that athletes are in
the best condition possible before they start the season so that
they can perform to their full potential! Sport organizations across North
America are starting to recognize the importance of preventative assessments
and treatments, which has given rise to the term “prehab” or “prehabilitation”: a systematic process involving evaluation and
education of young athletes to reduce the risk of injury.
The injuries that athletes might
experience can be sorted into the following categories:
- Developmental (eg. scoliosis - a curvature of the spine)
- Environmental (eg. altitude-related conditions)
- Metabolic (eg. heat illnesses)
- Traumatic (eg. fractures, sprains & strains)
- Overuse (eg. tendonitis injuries).
An incredibly high number - 70% - of all reported injuries are categorized as overuse injuries. 70%! Luckily, overuse injuries are also the most preventable, and can be
avoided with a proper prehab assessment. A prehab assessment typically looks at
an athlete’s flexibility, strength, biomechanics, and training schedule.
This information provides the therapist and coach with a more comprehensive view of each
athlete’s physical and psychological status, and acts as a means to identify
any “red flags” or contraindications to participating in the sport. The
sooner a potential issue is made known - like a postural impairment or muscle
imbalance - the sooner it can be corrected and the more likely the athlete will
be able to avoid injury! Sports Medicine Dr. P.Z. Pearce believes that “great
athletes are born, and not made….but many potentially great athletes
never have an opportunity to demonstrate their superior genetics, because of
repeated noncontact injury”.
This information provides the therapist and coach with a more comprehensive view of each
athlete’s physical and psychological status, and acts as a means to identify
any “red flags” or contraindications to participating in the sport. The
sooner a potential issue is made known - like a postural impairment or muscle
imbalance - the sooner it can be corrected and the more likely the athlete will
be able to avoid injury! Sports Medicine Dr. P.Z. Pearce believes that “great
athletes are born, and not made….but many potentially great athletes
never have an opportunity to demonstrate their superior genetics, because of
repeated noncontact injury”. “Great athletes are born, and not made….but many potentially great athletes never have an opportunity to demonstrate their superior genetics, because of repeated noncontact injury” - Dr. P.Z. Pearce
Prehab, along with a proper training regime can ensure
that young athletes are adequately prepared and start their sport injury-free,
which bodes well for remaining that way for the duration of the season. Not
only do the physiotherapists at CheerMed Rehab possess the knowledge and
expertise necessary to perform effective prehab assessments, but they are
passionate about ensuring that all athletes enjoy a lifetime of fitness! Because, in the end, sport shouldn’t
hurt.
Book a Prehab Physiotherapy Assessment today at www.CheerMedRehab.com!
Reference:
Pearce, P. Z.
"Prehabilitation: preparing young athletes for sports." Current sports medicine reports 5.3 (2006): 155-160.
